CN103576522A

CN103576522A - Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN103576522A
Application number: CN201310309984.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 上西裕之; 新谷刚史; 本城贤二; 唐泽信哉; 富田大辅; 山本幸辅; 工藤经生
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-31
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2014-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-23
Also published as: CN103576522B; US9632475B2; US9122225B2; US20140037304A1; US20150355594A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a lubricant applicator that reliably detects that an amount of remaining of a lubricant is smaller than a threshold value, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge. The lubricant applicator includes a lubricant, a supply member supplying the lubricant to a lubricant supply target, and a remaining lubricant gauge to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value. The remaining lubricant gauge includes a rotary detection member (41) that is rotatable and a pressing member to press and rotate the rotary detection member (41) as the lubricant is consumed. On the opposite side of the rotation fulcrum, which is pressed against the pressing member across the rotary detection member, of the rotary detection member (41), the amount of lubricant is detected to be below a threshold value. Therefore, the mechanism used for detecting that the amount of lubricant is below a threshold value on the opposite side can be arranged at a position deviated from the contact portion between the supply member and the solid lubricant, so that the error detection of the amount of remaining lubricant can be inhibited.

Description

Feeding lubricating device, image processing system and cartridge processing

Technical field

The present invention relates to feeding lubricating device, image processing system and cartridge processing.

Background technology

In the image processing systems such as printer, facsimile recorder, duplicating machine, in order to protect photoreceptor or intermediate transfer belt iseikonia bearing member or to make its low friction, be provided with to the feeding lubricating device of picture bearing member surface supply of lubricant, this is that people are known.

If carry out image under the exhausted state of lubricant, form action, lubricant protective effect is inoperative, therefore, deteriorated as bearing member abrasion.In patent documentation 1, record and detect the feeding lubricating device that lubricant " approaches and use up " (near end).

Fig. 1 means that the lubricant of the feeding lubricating device that patent documentation 1 is recorded " approaches and use up " approximate three-dimensional map of test section.

As shown in Figure 1, the lubricant holding member 143 that form to keep solid lubricant 140 with electroconductive component, be included in lubricant residual tail off constantly with the first electrod assembly 181 of one end butt of lubricant holding member 143 and with other end butt the second electrod assembly 182.Whether testing circuit 183 is connected with the second electrod assembly 182 with the first electrod assembly 181, between 183 pairs of electrod assemblies of testing circuit, applies voltage, detect and have electric current to flow through.Lubricant holding member 143 does not have illustrated supply part side to energize by spring 142 courts.

Use initial, each electrod assembly relatively, lubricant holding member 143 leaves, and does not have electric current to flow through between electrod assembly.Solid lubricant is on one side because of not having the swiping of illustrated supply part to be cut down gradually, one side because of the power of energizing of spring 142, lubricant holding member 143 is to supply part side shifting.And, if solid lubricant 140 " approaching using up ", the lubricant holding member 143 of electric conductivity and the first electrod assembly 181, the second electrod assembly 182 butts.Its result, between electrod assembly, electric current flows through, and detects lubricant " approach and use up " with testing circuit 183.

Lubricant holding member 143 is followed the consumption of solid lubricant 140, towards there is no illustrated supply part side shifting.And when solid lubricant 140 is " approach and use up ", lubricant holding member 143 is positioned near the abutting part that there is no illustrated supply part and solid lubricant 140.The first electrod assembly 181, the second electrod assembly 182 need to be set, to make and lubricant holding member butt in this position.For this reason, the first electrod assembly 181, the second electrod assembly 182 are configured near the abutting part that there is no illustrated supply part and solid lubricant 140.Therefore, there is the danger that is attached to the first electrod assembly 181, the second electrod assembly 182 by the powder of the solid lubricant 140 that does not have illustrated supply part to cut to get.If the powder of solid lubricant 140 is attached to the first electrod assembly 181, the second electrod assembly 182, even if lubricant holding member 143 does not become conducting state with electrod assembly butt yet, existence can not detect the danger that lubricant " approaches and uses up ".

[patent documentation 1] Japanese kokai publication hei 8-314346 communique

Summary of the invention

The present invention puts forward in order to solve above-mentioned problem, and its object is, provides the residual that can really detect lubricant to become set quantitatively following feeding lubricating device, image processing system, and cartridge processing.

To achieve these goals, the invention of technical solution of the present invention 1 relates to a kind of feeding lubricating device, comprising:

Lubricant;

Supply part, is supplied to lubricant by above-mentioned lubricant and supplies with object; And

Residual testing agency, the residual that detects above-mentioned lubricant be set quantitatively below;

Above-mentioned feeding lubricating device is characterised in that:

Above-mentioned residual testing agency comprises and is made as rotatable pivoting part, and follows the consumption of above-mentioned lubricant to push above-mentioned pivoting part, makes the rotating push part of above-mentioned pivoting part;

At opposition side above-mentioned pivoting part and the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part above-mentioned push part butt place, be provided with the test section that carries out above-mentioned detection.

The following describes effect of the present invention:

According to the present invention, in opposite sides above-mentioned pivoting part and the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part above-mentioned push part butt place, detect lubricant and be set quantitatively below, therefore, can make detection place be positioned to leave near the position butt place of solid lubricant and supply part.Thus, can make above-mentioned opposite sides detect lubricant be set mechanism below be quantitatively positioned at from supply part butt near the position left.

Like this, according to the present invention, can make to detect in above-mentioned opposite sides lubricant is that set mechanism below is quantitatively configured near the position from leaving the butt of supply part and solid lubricant, can suppress to cut by supply part the lubricant of getting and disperse and be attached to said mechanism, can suppress the error detection of residual.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Fig. 1 means that the lubricant of feeding lubricating device in the past " approaches and use up " approximate three-dimensional map of test section.

Fig. 2 means the summary pie graph of the printer that the invention process form relates to.

Fig. 3 means the enlarged drawing of one of four image-generating units.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B mean the distolateral summary pie graph of length direction one of the feeding lubricating device of the first embodiment, wherein, Fig. 4 A means the summary pie graph of the use A-stage of solid lubricant 3b, and Fig. 4 B means the summary pie graph of the remaining few state of solid lubricant 3b (" approach and use up " state).

Fig. 5 is the A-A sectional view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B are the B-B sectional views of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is the control flow chart that lubricant residual detects.

Fig. 8 carries out the control flow of " approach and use up " detection occasion conducting state two sides of the displacement of applicator roll and lubricant holding member and electrod assembly.

Fig. 9 represents the passing of solid amounts of lubrication and the time that " approach and use up " detected.

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B are the summary pie graphs of the feeding lubricating device of variation 1.

Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B are the sectional views of the feeding lubricating device of variation 1.

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B mean the distolateral summary pie graph of length direction one of the feeding lubricating device of the second embodiment.

Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B are the A-A sectional views of Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B.

Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B are the B-B sectional views of Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B.

Figure 15 detects by residual test section the process flow diagram whether solid lubricant is set.

Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B mean the summary pie graph of the first variation of residual test section.

Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B are the B-B sectional views of Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B.

Figure 18 means the summary pie graph of the second variation of residual test section.

Figure 19 means the summary pie graph of the variation of compression joint mechanism.

Figure 20 means the summary pie graph of another formation of the variation of compression joint mechanism.

Embodiment

Below, the example that present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying, in following example, although to inscape, kind, combination, position, shape, quantity, configuration waits and has done various restrictions relatively,, these only exemplify, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Explanation is applicable to the present invention as an example of the printer of the image processing system of electrofax mode.

[the first embodiment]

This printer 10 within it substantial middle of portion is provided with as being the intermediate transfer belt 56 of middle transfer body as bearing member.Intermediate transfer belt 56 consists of the thermotolerance material of polyimide or polyamide etc., is the endless belt that the matrix of resistance forms in being adjusted into, and is erected at four rollers 52,53,54,55 to be supported, and drives it towards the revolution of diagram arrow A direction.Below intermediate transfer belt 56, along the zone face of intermediate transfer belt 56, be set up in parallel and yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), four each image-generating unit 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K that each colour toners of black (K) is corresponding.

Fig. 3 means the enlarged drawing of four image-generating unit 11Y, 11M, one of 11C, 11K.

No matter it is identical which image-generating unit forms, therefore, at this, omit and represent Y, the M of look difference, the apposition of C, K letter.Each image-generating unit 11 comprises as the photoreceptor 1 as bearing member,, configures respectively the charging device 2 as charging mechanism at each photoreceptor 1 around, as the developing apparatus 4 of developing mechanism, feeding lubricating device 3, cleaning device 8.Described charging device 2 makes photosensitive surface homogeneous charged, become desirable current potential (negative polarity), charged each colour toners for negative polarity of described developing apparatus 4 use is to being formed on the latent electrostatic image developing of photosensitive surface, become toner image, described feeding lubricating device 3 is by coating to photosensitive surface supply of lubricant, and the toner that remains in photosensitive surface after 8 pairs of transfer printing toner images of described cleaning device cleans.

Image-generating unit is configured to cartridge processing, and image processing system handling relatively, are configured to and can change photoreceptor 1, charging device 2, developing apparatus 4, cleaning device 8 and feeding lubricating device 3 quickly.

With reference to Fig. 2, below four image-generating unit 11Y, 11M, 11C, 11K, be provided with the exposure device 9 that forms mechanism as electrostatic latent image, it exposes to each charged photosensitive surface according to view data of all kinds, exposed portion current potential is reduced, write electrostatic latent image.Clip intermediate transfer belt 56, with each photoreceptor 1 subtend position, configure respectively the primary transfer roller 51 as transfer means, will be formed on toner image primary transfer on photoreceptor 1 on intermediate transfer belt 56.Primary transfer roller 51 is not connected with there is no illustrated power supply, is applied the voltage setting by this power supply.

In the outside of the part of roller 52 supporting of intermediate transfer belt 56, crimping is as the secondary transfer roller 61 of secondary transfer printing mechanism.Secondary transfer roller 61 is not connected with there is no illustrated power supply, is applied the voltage setting by this power supply.The contact site of secondary transfer roller 61 and intermediate transfer belt 56 is secondary transfer printing portions, and the toner image on intermediate transfer belt 56 is transferred on the transfer paper as recording materials.Outside in the part of roller 55 supporting of intermediate transfer belt 56, is provided with intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 57, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 56 after its clean secondary transfer printing.Above secondary transfer printing portion, be provided with the fixing device 70 that the toner image on transfer paper is fixed on to transfer paper.Fixing device 70 consists of ring-type fixing band 71 and backer roll 74, and described fixing band 71 is wound on warm-up mill 72 and the fixing roller 73 that inside is provided with halogen heater, and described backer roll 74 configures by fixing band 71 and fixing roller 73 subtend crimping.In printer 10 bottoms, be provided with paper feed 20, it loads transfer paper, and towards secondary transfer printing, portion sends transfer paper.

Photoreceptor 1 is Organophotoreceptor, with the resin of polycarbonate class, forms sealer.Charging device 2 is provided with charging roller 2a as charging unit, and its elastic layer that ties up to the coated middle resistance in outside of conductive metal core forms.Charging roller 2a is not connected with there is no illustrated power supply, by this power supply, it is applied to the voltage setting.Charging roller 2a sets has minim gap for relative photoreceptor 1.This minim gap can be reeled and be had certain thickness distance member etc. by the non-image formation region at the both ends such as at charging roller 2a, makes distance member surface and the surperficial butt of photoreceptor 1, sets.

Developing apparatus 4 with photoreceptor 1 subtend position, configuration is as the development cover 4a of developer carrier body, its inside is provided with magnetic field generating means.Below the cover 4a that develops, be provided with two spiral 4b, for the toner that never illustrated toner bottle is dropped into, mix with developer, while stir towards the cover 4a that develops, draw.The toner and the magnetic carrier that by the cover 4a that develops, are drawn form developer, and this developer is restricted to the developer layer thickness setting by scraper plate 4c, are positioned in and develop on cover 4a.Develop cover 4a moving on one side and load and transport developer towards equidirectional on one side with photoreceptor 1 subtend position, toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image part on photoreceptor 1.In Fig. 1, represent the formation of the developing apparatus 4 of bi-component visualization way, still, the present invention is not limited thereto, even if the developing apparatus of single component development mode also can be suitable for.

Feeding lubricating device 3 comprises the solid lubricant 3b that is accommodated in stationary housing, and as the applicator roll 3a of supply part, described applicator roll 3a forms coating mechanism, by the lubricant applying of cutting the powder shaped of getting from solid lubricant 3b to photoreceptor 1 surface.Applicator roll 3a can be used brush roll, isocyanurate foam roller.Use brush roll as applicator roll 3a occasion, be preferably, the resistance of carbon black etc. is controlled to Material Addition at nylon, the resins such as propylene, are adjusted at 1 * 10 by specific insulation ³more than Ω cm, 1 * 10 ⁸in scope below Ω cm, with such material, form brush roll.The relative photoreceptor 1 of gyratory directions of applicator roll 3a is contrary direction.That is,, at the abutting part of photoreceptor 1 and applicator roll 3a, the surperficial moving direction of applicator roll 3a and the surperficial moving direction of photoreceptor 1 are contrary direction.

Solid lubricant 3b forms rectangular-shaped, by dipper crowding gear 3c described later, towards applicator roll 3a thruster, presses.As the lubricant of solid lubricant 3b, use the lubricant that at least contains fatty acid metal salts.Fatty acid metal salts; can use for example fluorine resin; zinc stearate; calcium stearate, barium stearate, aluminium stearate; dolomols etc. have the fatty acid metal salts of layer crystal body structure; or lauroyl lysine (lauroyl lysine), mixed sodium phosphate (monocetyl sodium phosphate), the materials such as lauroyl calcium taurinate (lauroyl taurine calcium).Among above-mentioned fatty acid metal salts, be preferably, use zinc stearate.This is because zinc stearate is very good in the lip-deep extensibility of photoreceptor 1, and hydroscopicity is low, then has, even if having the cause that humidity changes the characteristic be also difficult to damage lubricity.Therefore, be difficult to be subject to environmental change to affect, can form the high membranization lubricant protective seam of protection photosensitive surface ability, can protect well photosensitive surface.Owing to thering is the characteristic that is difficult to damage lubricity, can be reduced well clean bad effect.Except above-mentioned fatty acid metal salts, can also add liquid material, the gas shape materials such as silicone oil or fluorine system oil, natural wax, as external additive.

Be preferably, the lubricant of solid lubricant 3b comprises the boron nitride as inorganic lubricant.As the crystal structure of boron nitride, can enumerate the low pressure phase (h-BN) of hexagonal system or the high pressure phase (c-BN) of hexagonal system etc.Among the boron nitride of said structure, the crystal of the boron nitride of the low pressure phase of hexagonal system has layer structure, it is the material of easily riving, therefore, friction factor can maintain approximately below 0.2 before approaching 400 ℃, is difficult to because of electric discharge characteristic variations, even if discharged, compare with other lubricant, also can not lose lubricity.By adding this boron nitride, the electric discharge that the lubricant that is supplied to photoreceptor 1 surface film occurs in the time of can be because of charging device 2 or 51 action of primary transfer roller is deteriorated in early days.Boron nitride is difficult to because of electric discharge characteristic variations, even if discharged, compares with other lubricant, also can not lose lubricity.And, can also prevent from causing oxidation, evaporation because of the photoreceptor layers electric discharge of photoreceptor 1.Even if boron nitride addition seldom also can be brought into play its lubricity, therefore, for because lubricant adheres to charging roller 2a etc. the defective mode causing, or the vibration of the plate of cleaning balde 8a is very effective.

The solid lubricant 3b of this example is used the lubricant raw material compression forming person of containing zinc stearate and boron nitride.The forming method of solid lubricant 3b is not limited thereto, and also can adopt other forming methods such as melt molding.Thus, can obtain the effect of above-mentioned zinc stearate and the effect of above-mentioned boron nitride.

Solid lubricant 3b consumes because applicator roll 3a cuts to get, its thickness through time reduce, still, by compression joint mechanism 3c Chang Shiyu applicator roll 3a crimping.Applicator roll 3a will cut the lubricant applying of getting at photosensitive surface while turning round.After this, by the surface of photoreceptor 1 and contacting of cleaning balde 8a, the lubricant of coating is urged expansion, becomes film-form.Thus, the friction factor on photoreceptor 1 surface reduces.The lubricant film that is attached to photoreceptor 1 surface is very thin, therefore, can not encumber the charging of charging roller 2a.

Cleaning device 8 comprises the cleaning balde 8a as cleaning member, holding components 8b, and toner reclaims spiral 8c.Cleaning balde 8a forms the rubber such as urethane rubber, silicone rubber tabular, is made as its edge and the surperficial butt of photoreceptor 1, remains in the toner on photoreceptor 1 after removing transfer printing.The bonding holding components 8b consisting of metal, plastics, pottery etc. that is bearing in of cleaning balde 8a, photoreceptor 1 surface is to set angle setting relatively.As cleaning member, except utilizing cleaning balde, can extensively utilize the well-known components such as cleaning brush.

In this example, feeding lubricating device 3 is configured in the downstream of cleaning device 8.By feeding lubricating device 3, be coated on the lubricant of photosensitive surface, after this, by by homogeneous scraper plate 8d swiping photosensitive surface, stretched, can make to be roughly coated on that the lubricant applying of photosensitive surface is irregular becomes even.

Below, illustrate in greater detail feeding lubricating device 3.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B mean the summary pie graph that the length direction one of feeding lubricating device 3 is distolateral, wherein, Fig. 4 A means the summary pie graph of the use A-stage of solid lubricant 3b, Fig. 4 B means the summary pie graph of the remaining few state of solid lubricant 3b (" approach and use up " state), Fig. 5 is the A-A sectional view of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B are the B-B sectional views of Fig. 4.Another of the length direction of feeding lubricating device 3 is distolateral identical with a distolateral formation.

As shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B, the face of the downside of solid lubricant 3b and applicator roll 3a butt, be provided with lubricant holding member 3d, along the length direction of solid lubricant 3b, keeps the solid lubricant part with face opposition side described downside 3b.Lubricant holding member 3d in storage case 3e, be made as relatively applicator roll 3a connect from.Space, figure middle and upper part at the lubricant holding member 3d of storage case 3e, is provided with the pressing spring 3c as compression joint mechanism, and solid lubricant 3b is pushed towards supply part.Due to this pressing spring 3c, solid lubricant 3b and applicator roll crimping.

Near the length direction two ends of solid lubricant 3b, be provided with the residual test section 40 as residual testing agency.As shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 A, Fig. 6 B, along the gyratory directions of applicator roll 3a, residual test section 40 is located at the side in the downstream of the applicator roll 3a of storage case 3e and the abutting part of solid lubricant 3b.Residual test section 40 as shown in Figure 4 A and 4 B shown in FIG., comprises and detecting with pivoting part 41, and the revolution test section 42 that detects pivoting part 41 revolutions for described detection, conduct revolution testing agency.Revolution test section 42 comprises the first electrod assembly 42a, with the second electrod assembly 42b of this first electrod assembly 42a subtend configuration, and the 42c of resistance detection portion etc.The 42c of resistance detection portion is connected with the second electrod assembly 42b with the first electrod assembly 42a, to applying voltage between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, detects resistance.The 42c of resistance detection portion is connected with control part 100.Detect with pivoting part 41, the first electrod assembly 42a, and the second electrod assembly 42b location remains on the cover 43 that covers above-mentioned parts.The first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b are configured in the vertical top of detecting with pivoting part 41.

The first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b are the plate-like shape that the electroconductive components such as sheet metal form.The second electrod assembly 42b is configured in the vertical below of the first electrod assembly 42a, and the diagram left end of the second electrod assembly 42b (solid lubricant length direction central portion side end) side remains on cover 43, can be towards the first electrod assembly 42a side deflection deformation.The second electrod assembly 42b is configured to approach parallel with the first electrod assembly 42a with the first electrod assembly 42a butt side (Fig. 4 A, the left end of Fig. 4 B).As Fig. 4 A, shown in Fig. 4 B, the solid lubricant length direction central portion side end of the first electrod assembly 42a is positioned at the central portion side of the end of the second electrod assembly 42b.As shown in Figure 5, the Length Ratio second electrod assembly 42b of relative cover 43 orthogonal directionss of the first electrod assembly 42a is long.Thus, at least, near the contact portion (Fig. 4 A, the left-hand end of Fig. 4 B) of the second electrod assembly 42b, become the large shape of the first electrod assembly 42a.

Along applicator roll gyratory directions, the side in the downstream of the applicator roll 3a of storage case 3e and the abutting part of solid lubricant 3b, is provided with the peristome 31e extending towards the moving direction of lubricant holding member 3d.The butt jut 31d being located at as the lubricant holding member 3d of push part connects this peristome 31e (with reference to Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B).At cover 43, being provided with partition wall 43b, is the space of configuration peristome 31e by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers, and the space that configures the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b.

Detect the revolving shaft 43c that is bearing in freely rotating cover 43 with pivoting part 41.The diagram left side (solid lubricant length direction central portion side) of detecting the revolution fulcrum (revolving shaft 43c) of using pivoting part 41 is the receiving portion 41b of plate-like shape, and it extends towards diagram left side, front end and butt jut 31d subtend.Detection becomes cubic barrel shape with the diagram right side (solid lubricant length direction end side) of the revolution fulcrum (revolving shaft 43c) of pivoting part 41, than the receiving portion 41b Heavy Weight in the diagram left side of revolution fulcrum.Therefore, detect with pivoting part 41 and be configured to because deadweight is towards diagram revolution clockwise.

At cover 43, be provided with restriction projection 43a, with the inner peripheral surface butt detecting with the cubic barrel shape portion of pivoting part 41, restriction is because detecting the revolution of conducting oneself with dignity and causing with pivoting part 41.Diagram right-hand end detecting with the upper face of the cubic barrel shape portion of pivoting part 41, is provided with the hook-shaped detected portion 41a extending towards vertical top.

As shown in Figure 4 A, at the use initial stage, the butt jut 31d that is located at lubricant holding member 3d leaves the receiving portion 41b detecting with pivoting part, detects with pivoting part 41 and restriction projection 43a butt.At this moment, detect and with the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41, leave the second electrod assembly 42b, gap and the first electrod assembly 42a subtend of the second electrod assembly 42b to set.Therefore, at this moment, even by the 42c of resistance detection portion, voltage is applied between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, do not have electric current to flow through, for not measuring the state of resistance value yet.

If being cut, gets solid lubricant 3b, lubricant consumption, and solid lubricant level step-down, lubricant holding member 3d is close to applicator roll 3a side.Then,, if solid lubricant 3b highly becomes set definite value, be located at the butt jut 31d and the receiving portion 41b butt detecting with pivoting part 41 of lubricant holding member 3d.If solid lubricant 3b is further cut and gets, height step-down, passes through butt jut 31d and pushes the receiving portion 41b detecting with pivoting part 41, detects and uses pivoting part 41 courts and turn round against direction (diagram counterclockwise) because of deadweight gyratory directions.If solid lubricant 3b is further cut and is got, detect with pivoting part 41 and further press counterclockwise revolution, detect detected portion 41a and the second electrod assembly 42b butt with pivoting part 41.If solid lubricant 3b is further cut and is got, detect with pivoting part 41 and further press counterclockwise revolution, detected portion 41a will press towards the first electrod assembly 42a thruster near the diagram left end of the second electrod assembly 42b.So the diagram left end of the second electrod assembly 42b is near the first electrod assembly 42a.Then, as shown in Fig. 4 B, Fig. 6 B, if the amount of lubricant remaining few (" approach and use up ") detects with pivoting part 41 revolutions and sets angle, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt.If the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a switch to conducting state from nonconducting state.Thus, if voltage is applied between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b by the 42c of resistance detection portion, electric current flows through between electrod assembly.Its result, can detect the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41 for described detection by resistance test section 42c detection resistance value, can detect described detection and with pivoting part 41, follows the consumption of solid lubricant 3b and turn round.

Control part 100 monitors the measurement result of the 42c of resistance detection portion, if detect, learns that the resistance value that the 42c of resistance detection portion detects is below set definite value, and control part 100 is judged to be lubricant " approaching using up ".Then, do not having illustrated operation display part to report the information that lubricant residual is few, supervising user to change solid lubricant.Also can use and not have illustrated means of communication ，Xiang service centre notice need to change lubricant.In the present invention, above-mentioned " resistance value detecting is that set definite value is following " expression " resistance value detecting≤set definite value " (other is also like this).

Lubricant to the coating weight of photoreceptor 1 might not, different because being formed on the image area rate etc. of photosensitive surface.If illustrate, the toner image that is formed on the photosensitive surface of application of lubricating is transferred to intermediate transfer belt 56 in primary transfer portion, and at this moment, the lubricant of photosensitive surface moves on to intermediate transfer belt sometimes together with toner.Therefore, the image of hi-vision area occupation ratio is compared with the image of low image area rate, and the amounts of lubrication of photosensitive surface tails off.Its result, the lubricant that hi-vision area occupation ratio figure image space is supplied with photosensitive surface is many.Therefore, the user of the image of the user of the image of the low image area rates such as frequent output character and the contour image area rate of frequent output photo, the minimizing degree of lubricant is different.Therefore, different from this example, only, to judge " approach and use up " occasion during the actions such as displacement of applicator roll 3a, can not under whole service conditions, precision detect well " approach and use up ".Specifically, the displacement of applicator roll 3a that during by the many service condition of lubricant consumption, lubricant becomes " approach and use up " is for judging " approach and use up " occasion, in the user who uses under the few service condition of lubricant consumption, under the state of not using up at solid lubricant 3b, be lubricated agent and change.In contrast, the displacement of applicator roll 3a that during by the few service condition of lubricant consumption, lubricant becomes " approach and use up " is for judging " approach and use up " occasion, when lubricant consumption service condition how, there is the danger that " approach and use up " front lubricant exhaustion detected.

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by residual test section 40, according to the height detection lubricant of solid lubricant, whether " approach and use up ", with according to the displacement of applicator roll 3a, detect " approach and use up " occasion and compare, irrelevant with service condition, can precision detect well " approach and use up ".

In this example, detect by the posture (angle of revolution) of pivoting part 41 and become before the posture corresponding with lubricant " approaching using up ", the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b become non-power status, even to applying voltage between electrod assembly, also there is no current flowing.Thus, when detecting " approach and use up ", power consumption, therefore, can not reduce power consumption.With less expensive materials such as sheet metals, form the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, can make the device that detects lubricant residual be made as cheapness.

In this example, near the residual test section 40 as residual testing agency is located at respectively solid lubricant 3b length direction both ends.Therefore, even if solid lubricant 3b is in the different occasions of length direction lubricant consumption, end in the many sides of lubricant consumption becomes " approach and use up " constantly, the detection that is configured in the end side of the many sides of lubricant consumption becomes with lubricant and " approaches and use up " corresponding posture, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt conducting with pivoting part 41.Thus, even if solid lubricant 3b, in the different occasions of length direction lubricant consumption, also can correctly detect lubricant and " approach and use up ".The undesirable conditions such as thus, the lubricant that can prevent the many sides of consumption is exhausted, can not protect photoreceptor, damage photosensitive surface.

The residual test section 40 of this example is used follows solid lubricant 3b to consume and pivoting part 41 for rotating detection, relatively detect with pivoting part 41 with butt jut 31d butt place, clip revolution fulcrum, be provided with detected portion 41a, by use, turn round test section 42 detection detected portion 41a and come the position setting, detect " approach and use up " of lubricant.By such formation, as shown in Figure 4 A, the revolution test section 42 of the means of " approach and use up " as for detection of lubricant can be located to the position of leaving from the butt of solid lubricant 3b and applicator roll 3a.Thus, can suppress to cut by applicator roll 3a the lubricant powder of getting and be attached to the first electrod assembly 42a and abutting part the second electrod assembly 42b, or the second electrod assembly 42b and abutting part the first electrod assembly 42a.Thus, can suppress to cause poor flow between electrod assembly because being attached to the lubricant of each electrod assembly, energy precision detects " approach and use up " of lubricant well.

In this example, residual test section 40 is located to the outside of storage case 3e, therefore, the lubricant powder that can suppress to disperse is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a or the second electrod assembly 42b.

In this example, by detecting detected portion 41a with pivoting part 41 and be configured in the vertical top etc. of receiving portion 41b, the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b are configured in above the vertical detecting with pivoting part 41.The lubricant powder that thus, can suppress to enter from peristome 31e is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.By detecting the vertical top that is configured in receiving portion 41b with the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41, even if detect, use the revolution amount of pivoting part 41 few, also the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b can be configured in fully to vertical top.

The first tabular electrod assembly 42a, the upper face of the second electrod assembly 42b easily adhere to the lubricant dispersing.The upper face of the second electrod assembly 42b is and the butt place of the first electrod assembly 42a, therefore, need to makes lubricant be not adhered to as far as possible the upper face of the second electrod assembly 42b.In this example, by near the second electrod assembly 42b and solid lubricant 3b length direction center side end the first electrod assembly 42a butt near the first electrod assembly 42a configuration.Thus, near the solid lubricant 3b length direction center side end of the second electrod assembly 42b and the gap stenosis of the first electrod assembly 42a, can suppress near upper face solid lubricant length direction center side end that lubricant is attached to the second electrod assembly 42b.

As shown in Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B, the solid lubricant length direction center side end of the first electrod assembly 42a is compared with the second electrod assembly 42b, is positioned at center side.As shown in Figure 5, the Length Ratio that is provided with the side orthogonal directions that detects peristome 31e the second electrod assembly 42b of the relative storage case 3e of the first electrod assembly 42a is long.Owing to having this formation, it is such that the first electrod assembly 42a plays a part penthouse just, at the upper face of the first electrod assembly 42a, accepts from fallen lubricant above vertical.Thus, can suppress the upper face that lubricant is attached to the second electrod assembly 42b.Even if lubricant is deposited in the upper face of the first electrod assembly 42a, can not give any impact to the conducting state of the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b yet.

Having, in this example, is the space that is provided with the space of peristome 31e and is provided with each electrod assembly by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers by partition wall 43b again.The lubricant powder that thus, can further suppress to enter from peristome 31e is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.Be preferably, with resin integrated shaping cover 43 and partition wall 43b.Thus, and with parts separately, form cover 43 and compare with partition wall 43b occasion, can reduce number of components, can make device cheap.Also partition wall 43b can be located to storage case 3e.This occasion also can reduce number of components with resin integrated be shaped storage case 3e and partition wall 43b, can make device cheap.Also can be respectively equipped with partition wall at cover 43, storage case 3e, by combination, be the space that is provided with the space of peristome 31e and is provided with each electrod assembly by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers.

In this example, with cover 43, cover peristome 31e, the first electrod assembly 42a, and the second electrod assembly 42b.Thus, can suppress lubricant and disperse to feeding lubricating device 3 from peristome 31e, the dirt of energy restraining device is dirty.The toner etc. of suppressing to disperse is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a or the second electrod assembly 42b, can be suppressed at and between electrod assembly, produce poor flow.

In this example, the gyratory directions that the deadweight because detecting with pivoting part 41 is caused is made as and follows the rotating direction of consumption of solid lubricant 3b against direction.Different from this example, the gyratory directions that deadweight because detecting with pivoting part 41 is caused is made as and the equidirectional occasion of the rotating direction of consumption of following solid lubricant 3b, by mechanisms of energizing such as springs, be construed as limiting parts, restriction makes to detect with pivoting part 41 not because deadweight is turned round, need in advance towards with because of the gyratory directions causing of conducting oneself with dignity, against direction, energize.Above-mentioned formation occasion, detects the receiving portion 41b with pivoting part 41 if be located at the butt jut 31d pushing of lubricant holding member 3d, makes to detect and follows lubricant consumption and turn round with pivoting part 41, and spring energized power increases.Its result, along with the residual of solid lubricant 3b close " approach and use up " (detecting with the angle of revolution of pivoting part 41 as setting angle), the butt pressure for applicator roll 3a of solid lubricant 3b reduces, to the lubricant quantity delivered reduction of photoreceptor 1.

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, by the gyratory directions that the deadweight because detecting with pivoting part 41 is caused, be made as and followed the rotating direction of consumption of solid lubricant 3b against direction, spring as described above does not need.Therefore, can suppress the variation of the butt pressure for applicator roll 3a of solid lubricant 3b.Thus, be made as with following the equidirectional occasion of the rotating direction of consumption of solid lubricant 3b and compare with the gyratory directions that the deadweight because detecting with pivoting part 41 is caused, can suppress to the variation of the lubricant quantity delivered of photoreceptor 1.

In this example, in cover 43 location, keep the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b and detect with pivoting part 41.Like this, by keeping the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b in same positioning parts and detecting with pivoting part 41, part tolerance can be suppressed to Min..Thus, can precision the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b be provided well and detect the position relationship separately with pivoting part 41.Thus, when solid lubricant 3b is during in " approach use up " state, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt can be really made, " approaching using up " state of lubricant can be precision detected well.Only from storage case 3e, unload lower cover member 43, residual test section 40 can be unloaded from feeding lubricating device, can easily carry out the replacing operation of residual test section 40.

As shown in Figure 6B, in the time of in lubricant applying action, applicator roll 3a revolution, swiping solid lubricant 3b.Therefore, solid lubricant 3b is subject to power at the surperficial moving direction (diagram left side) of applicator roll 3a.The lubricant holding member 3d pattern of wants, for to move at storage case 3e within, therefore, has loosening state to a certain degree with relative storage case 3e and is accommodated in storage case 3e.Therefore,, if solid lubricant 3b is subject to power at the surperficial moving direction (diagram left side) of applicator roll 3a, lubricant holding member 3d is mobile towards the direction (diagram left side) of the swiping solid lubricant 3b of applicator roll 3a.Its result, along applicator roll 3a gyratory directions, residual test section 40 is different from this example, be located at the side occasion of the upstream side of the applicator roll 3a of storage case 3e and the abutting part of solid lubricant 3b, if lubricant holding member 3d is mobile towards the direction (diagram left side) of the swiping solid lubricant 3b of applicator roll 3a, there is butt jut 31d and detect with the not danger of butt of pivoting part 41.Its result, exists and detects with the non-rotating danger of pivoting part 41.

On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, along applicator roll 3a gyratory directions, be located at the side in the downstream of the applicator roll 3a of storage case 3e and the abutting part of solid lubricant 3b, can make butt jut 31d really use the receiving portion 41b butt of pivoting part 41 with detection.Therefore, can really detect " approach and use up " state.Lubricant holding member 3d, solid lubricant 3b are mobile towards the surperficial moving direction (diagram left side) of applicator roll 3a, can the 31e of occlusion of openings portion.The lubricant powder that thus, can suppress to be deposited in storage case 3e disperses from peristome 31e.

In this example, detecting is not that the so-called solid lubricant of lubricant before will exhaustion used up state, but detects the residual (" approach and use up " state) that can supply with to photoreceptor 1 surface the amounts of lubrication that set number of times.Detect the state of the using up occasion of lubricant, if carry out image after detection, form action, because lubricant is exhausted, produce defective mode, therefore, before lubricant is changed the end of job, must forbid that image forms action, produces stop time.

In contrast, in this example, detect " approach and use up " state of lubricant, therefore, even if the rear implementation of detection sets the image of number of times, form action, also can, to photosensitive surface application of lubricating, can protect photosensitive surface.Thus, preparation solid lubricant from detecting, to starting to change between operational period, also can carry out image and form action, can suppress generation device stop time.If between the preparatory stage, carry out the image setting more than number of times and form action, lubricant is exhausted, produces the defective mode causing because of lubricant exhaustion.Therefore,, if " approach and use up " detected, monitor that the displacement (winding number) of applicator roll 3a or image form action frequency etc.And, if forming action frequency, the displacement of applicator roll 3a or image become set definite value, be judged to be lubricant and use up state, forbid that image forms action.

In the time of in lubricant applying action, applicator roll 3a revolution, swiping solid lubricant 3b.Therefore, solid lubricant 3b is subject to power at the surperficial moving direction (diagram left side) of applicator roll 3a.The lubricant holding member 3d pattern of wants, for to move at storage case 3e within, therefore, has loosening state to a certain degree with relative storage case 3e and is accommodated in storage case 3e.Therefore,, if solid lubricant 3b is subject to power at the surperficial moving direction (diagram left side) of applicator roll 3a, lubricant holding member 3d existence is towards the danger of direction (diagram counterclockwise) inclination of the swiping solid lubricant 3b of applicator roll 3a.In this example, as shown in Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B, butt jut 31d is located at the side in the applicator roll 3a gyratory directions downstream of lubricant holding member 3d.Therefore, if lubricant holding member 3d tilts, the state that butt jut 31d fully has with solid amounts of lubrication is pressed into detection pivoting part, conducting between electrod assembly, and control part 100 error detections are " approach and use up " sometimes.

The lubricant holding member 3d in lubricant applying when action because of with the load variations of applicator roll 3a in the swiping portion of solid lubricant 3b, the revolution of applicator roll 3a relatively, becomes the state that solid lubricant 3b vibrates.Especially, as in the present embodiment, the gravity direction of solid lubricant 3b is the swiping opposite direction side occasion of solid lubricant 3b relative to applicator roll 3a, and it is large that the vibration that above-mentioned load variations causes becomes.Have, applicator roll self revolution action produces vibration occasion again, corresponding thereto, and the vibration of solid lubricant.Its result, for example, during lubricant applying action, even without producing above-mentioned inclination, because of above-mentioned vibration, when " approach and use up ", butt jut 31d relatively detects with the pressing-in force of pivoting part 41 and also changes.Its result, detects the pressing-in force variation with the relative second electrod assembly 42b of pivoting part 41, and the butt state of the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a becomes unstable, becomes conducting repeatedly and non-conduction situation.Therefore, there is following possibility: although because of vibration, solid lubricant is depleted to " approach and use up " state, conducting between electrod assembly do not detected, and notice " does not approach and uses up ".In addition, the noise causing for the destabilization of considering because of the contact condition of lubricant generation of vibration etc. brings impact to conducting state, need to be made as the correspondence (be configured to and have necessary above electric power) of such electric power amount not affected by noise etc.So, in this example, in lubricant applying action stops, carrying out residual detection.

Fig. 7 is the control flow chart that lubricant residual detects.

As shown in Figure 7, control part 100 confirms whether lubricant applying action finishes (step S1).Drive applicator roll 3a revolution occasion, by detection, be used for driving the rotating drive motor of applicator roll 3a to switch to disconnection (OFF) from connecting (ON), can detect lubricant applying release.Applicator roll 3a drives revolution occasion with photoreceptor 1, can be used for driving the rotating drive motor of photoreceptor 1 to switch to disconnection (OFF) from connecting (ON) by for example detecting, and can detect lubricant applying release.Be not limited to this, also can, by stopping with detection applicator roll 3a such as scramblers, detect lubricant applying release.

When lubricant applying release ("Yes" of step S1), enter step S2, judge whether to detect " approach and use up " state, while " approach and use up " state not detected ("No" of step S2), enter step S3, between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, apply voltage, with resistance test section, 42c measures resistance value.Then, enter step S4, judge whether resistance value is below set definite value.When the resistance value of measuring with resistance test section 42c is the following occasion of set definite value ("Yes" of step S4), judges that lubricant, as " approaching using up " state, reports (step S5) by this information to user.

On the other hand, when " approach and use up " state being detected ("Yes" of step S2), enter step S6, after judgement " approaches and uses up ", more than whether the displacement of applicator roll 3a becomes set definite value Bt, when becoming the value of setting Bt when above ("Yes" of step S6), detect as lubricant and use up (step S7), forbid that image forms action.In the present invention, above-mentioned " displacement become set definite value Bt more than " expression " displacement >=set definite value Bt " (other is also like this).

Like this, after lubricant applying release, during lubricant applying action stops, by detecting lubricant residual, under the state that can not tilt at lubricant holding member 3d, detect residual, can carry out correct lubricant residual and detect.Can under the non-vibrating state of solid lubricant 3b, detect residual.Therefore,, when solid lubricant " approaches and uses up ", can under the stable state contacting of the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a, detect.Its result, can correctly detect " approach use up " of solid lubricant.Even if do not apply high voltage between lubricant holding member 3d and electrod assembly, also can detect well conducting state, power consumption also can be suppressed to necessary bottom line.In the above description, after lubricant applying release, carry out residual detection, still, also can before lubricant applying action starts, carry out residual detection.Also can when " approach and use up " is normal afterwards, carry out " using up " detects.

Export continually the service condition occasion of low image area rate, cut among the lubricant of getting into powder shaped, in storage case 3e, pile up the lubricant that is not applied to photoreceptor.Its result, a part that is deposited in the lubricant of storage case is dispersed from peristome 31e.Therefore,, by the interconnecting part with the receiving portion 41b of pivoting part 41 for communication with detection of partition wall 43b, the lubricant powder in space that enters configuration the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b of cover 43 also becomes many.Therefore the lubricant powder that, is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b also becomes many.Thus, produce poor flow between electrod assembly, existence can not detect the danger of lubricant " approach and use up "., there is the danger that solid lubricant is exhausted, can not with lubricator protect photosensitive surface in its result.So, " approach and use up " that also can detect lubricant displacement and the conducting state both sides between electrod assembly of applicator roll 3a.

Fig. 8 detects the control flow chart of " approach and use up " occasion of lubricant the displacement of applicator roll 3a and residual test section 40 both sides.

As shown in Figure 8, at step S11, judge whether lubricant applying action finishes, if lubricant applying release ("Yes" of step S11), enter step S12, judge whether to detect " approach and use up ", residual test section 40 does not detect " approach use up " ("No" of step S12) occasion, enters step S13, more than whether the displacement that judges applicator roll 3a becomes set definite value B1.Not enough set definite value B1 ("No" of the step S13) occasion of displacement of applicator roll 3a, enters step S14, and with resistance test section, 42c measures resistance value, then, at step S15, judges whether resistance value is below set definite value.Resistance value is following ("Yes" of the step S15) occasion of set definite value, and therefore conducting between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, is judged as lubricant and " approaches and use up " (step S16), to user, reports.The displacement of applicator roll 3a is above ("Yes" of the step S13) occasion of set definite value B1, is also judged as lubricant and " approaches and use up " (step S16), to user, reports.

Fig. 9 represents the passing of solid amounts of lubrication and detects the moment for " approach and use up ".

In Fig. 9, ordinate represents solid lubricant level, when solid lubricant level becomes A1, between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, becomes conducting state.

As shown in Figure 9, during common service condition (diagram X), the displacement of applicator roll 3a becomes before set definite value B1, and conducting between electrod assembly detects " approach and use up " at X1.On the other hand, export continually the such service condition occasion of low image area rate (diagram Y), between electrod assembly, before conducting, the displacement of applicator roll 3a becomes set definite value B1, " approach and use up " detected at Y1.And, detect after " approach and use up ", if the displacement of applicator roll 3a becomes higher limit Bt, as " lubricant is used up " state, forbid that image forms action.

Like this, when worrying to produce the service condition occasion of the image of exporting continually low image area rate that can not detect " approach and use up " state of affairs, can detect " approach and use up " by the displacement of applicator roll 3a.Thus, at residual test section 40, do not detect " approach and use up ", can prevent from continuing like this to use.Thus, can really with lubricator protect photosensitive surface.

Except the displacement of applicator roll 3a, also can by detect the detections such as gyration time of applicator roll 3a, " approach and use up ".In driving the rotating formation of applicator roll 3a, lift-launch is controlled and is made the rotating speed of lubricant applying roller according to variation occasions such as environmental changes, detects displacement energy precision and predicts better " approach and use up ".

Below, the variation of residual test section 42 is described.

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B are the summary pie graphs of the residual test section 42 of the first variation, and Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B are the sectional views of the first variation.Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B omit partition wall 43b.

As shown in Figure 10 A, Figure 10 B, Figure 11 A, Figure 11 B, the residual test section of this first variation is made as electroconductive component by detection with pivoting part 41, cancels the second electrod assembly 42b.

As shown in Figure 10 A, using initially, detect with pivoting part 41 and touch and connect with partition wall 43b, the revolution causing because of deadweight is restricted.At this moment, as shown in Figure 10 A, Figure 11 A, detect and leave with pivoting part 41 and the first electrod assembly 42a.Therefore, at this moment, even by the 42c of resistance detection portion, voltage be applied to the first electrod assembly 42a and detect with 41 of pivoting parts, at the first electrod assembly 42a and detection, with 41 of pivoting parts, also not having electric current to flow through, for not measuring the state of resistance value.

Identical with above-mentioned explanation, if the butt jut 31d of lubricant holding member 3d pushing detects with pivoting part 41, make to detect with pivoting part 41 revolutions, the height of solid lubricant 3b becomes set definite value following (" approach and use up " state), detects diagram left side front end and the first electrod assembly 42a butt with pivoting part 41.Thus, detect and from nonconducting state, switch to conducting state with pivoting part 41 and the first electrod assembly 42a.Its result, if by the 42c of resistance detection portion, is applied to the first electrod assembly 42a by voltage and detects with 41 of pivoting parts, at the first electrod assembly 42a and detection, with 41 electric currents of pivoting part, flows through.Thus, can use resistance test section 42c detection resistance value, can detect solid lubricant 3b becomes " approach and use up ", described detection can be detected and set angle with pivoting part 41 revolutions.

In this first variation, can cancel the second electrod assembly 42b, can reduce component count, can reduce installation cost.

[the second embodiment]

The following describes the feeding lubricating device 3 of second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B mean the distolateral summary pie graph of length direction one of the feeding lubricating device of the second embodiment, and Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B are the A-A sectional views of Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B, and Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B are the B-B sectional views of Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B.Figure 12 A, Figure 13 A, Figure 14 A mean the summary pie graph of the use A-stage of solid lubricant 3b, and Figure 12 B, Figure 13 B, Figure 14 B mean the summary pie graph of the remaining few state of solid lubricant 3b (" approach and use up " state).Another of the length direction of feeding lubricating device 3 is distolateral identical with a distolateral formation.

As shown in Figure 13 A, Figure 13 B, Figure 14 A, Figure 14 B, the face of solid lubricant 3b and applicator roll 3a butt is the face of diagram downside, be provided with lubricant holding member 3d, it is along the length direction of solid lubricant 3b, keeps the solid lubricant part with face opposition side described downside 3b.Lubricant holding member 3d in storage case 3e, be made as relatively applicator roll 3a connect from.Space, figure middle and upper part at the lubricant holding member 3d of storage case 3e, is provided with the pressing spring 3c as compression joint mechanism, and solid lubricant 3b is pushed towards supply part.Due to this pressing spring 3c, solid lubricant 3b and applicator roll crimping.

The first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b are the plate-like shape that the electroconductive components such as sheet metal form, the diagram right-hand end of the second electrod assembly 42b (solid lubricant length direction end) side remains on cover 43, can be towards the first electrod assembly 42a side deflection deformation.The diagram right-hand end side of the second electrod assembly 42b is towards the first electrod assembly 42a side warpage.

Along applicator roll gyratory directions, the side in the downstream of the applicator roll 3a of storage case 3e and the abutting part of solid lubricant 3b, is provided with the peristome 31e extending towards the moving direction of lubricant holding member 3d.In detection, with one end (diagram right-hand member) of pivoting part 41, be provided with abutting part 41b, it connects above-mentioned peristome 31e and lubricant holding member 3d butt.In detection, with the other end of pivoting part 41, be provided with detected portion 41a, detect pushing the second electrod assembly 42b and make the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt, detect with pivoting part 41 and turn round.

Abutting part 41b is as shown in Figure 13 A, Figure 13 B, by extending from detecting with the axial region of pivoting part 41 part that sets length to peristome 31e side, and extend, form with the planar section of solid lubricant length direction quadrature towards vertical from the front end of this part.By abutting part 41b is made as to above-mentioned formation, detect with pivoting part 41 because deadweight is towards the revolution of diagram counterclockwise.In this example, the relative vertical of feeding lubricating device 3 (diagram above-below direction) tilts clockwise by diagram.Therefore,, by residual test section 40 being located to the side of the top of the lubricant holding member 3d that is positioned at storage case 3e, the revolution of using pivoting part 41 deadweights to cause by detection, can make abutting part 41b and lubricant holding member 3d butt.

At cover 43, being provided with partition wall 43b, is the space of configuration peristome 31e by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers, and the space that configures the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b.Detect with pivoting part 41 as shown in Figure 12 A, Figure 12 B, connect the through hole 43c that is located at partition wall 43b.And one end portion that is provided with abutting part 41b is positioned at the space of configuration peristome 31e.The other end that is provided with detected portion 41a is positioned at the space of configuration the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.

At the side wall portion of cover 43, be provided with the revolution limiting unit 43d as limiting means, restriction detects the revolution with pivoting part 41.Revolution limiting unit 43d extends towards detecting by pivoting part 41 sides from the side wall portion (side wall portion in diagram left side) of the solid lubricant length direction center side of cover 43, and as shown in Figure 14 A, leading section and detected portion 41a have the gap subtend setting.

As shown in FIG. 13A, using initially, detecting with the abutting part 41b of pivoting part 41 and touch and connect with lubricant holding member 3d, restriction detection revolution because conducting oneself with dignity and causing with pivoting part 41.At this moment, as shown in Figure 12 A, Figure 14 A, detect and do not push the second electrod assembly 42b with the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a leave.Therefore, at this moment, even voltage is applied between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, do not have electric current to flow through, for not measuring the state of resistance value yet.

If being cut, gets solid lubricant 3b, lubricant consumption, and solid lubricant level step-down, lubricant holding member 3d is close to applicator roll 3a side.Then,, if solid lubricant 3b highly becomes set definite value following (" approach and use up " state), abutting part 41b leaves from the side of lubricant holding member 3d.So, detecting with pivoting part 41 and turn round because of deadweight, detected portion 41a pushes the second electrod assembly 42b.Thus, the second electrod assembly 42b is towards the first electrod assembly 42a side deflection, as shown in Figure 12 B, and the front end of the second electrod assembly 42b (diagram right-hand end) and the first electrod assembly 42a butt.If the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a switch to conducting state from nonconducting state.Thus, if voltage is applied between the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b by the 42c of resistance detection portion, electric current flows through between electrod assembly.Its result, can use resistance test section 42c detection resistance value, and solid lubricant 3b becomes " approach and use up ", detects with pivoting part 41 revolutions.

Control part 100 monitors the measurement result of the 42c of resistance detection portion, if detect, learns that the resistance value that the 42c of resistance detection portion detects is below set definite value, and control part 100 is judged to be lubricant " approaching using up ".Then, do not having illustrated operation display part to report the information that lubricant residual is few, supervising user to change solid lubricant.Also can use and not have illustrated means of communication ，Xiang service centre notice need to change lubricant.

In this example, it is front that solid lubricant 3b becomes " approach and use up ", and the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b become non-power status, even to applying voltage between electrod assembly, also there is no current flowing.Thus, when detecting " approach and use up ", power consumption, therefore, can not reduce power consumption.Can form the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b with less expensive materials such as sheet metals, form revolution test section 42, can make to turn round test section 42 and be made as cheapness.

In this example, near the residual test section 40 as residual testing agency is located at respectively solid lubricant 3b length direction both ends.Therefore, even if solid lubricant 3b is in the different occasions of length direction lubricant consumption, end in the many sides of lubricant consumption becomes " approach and use up " constantly, be configured in pivoting part 41 revolutions for detection of the end side of the many sides of lubricant consumption, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt conducting.Thus, even if solid lubricant 3b, in the different occasions of length direction lubricant consumption, also can correctly detect lubricant and " approach and use up ".The undesirable conditions such as thus, the lubricant that can prevent the many sides of consumption is exhausted, can not protect photoreceptor, damage photosensitive surface.

Make abutting part 41b and lubricant holding member 3d butt, also can make itself and solid lubricant 3b butt.But the easy avalanche of solid lubricant 3b, therefore, makes abutting part 41b and solid lubricant 3b butt occasion, because of the swiping with abutting part 41b, exists solid lubricant 3b to eliminate or damaged danger.Therefore, make abutting part 41b and lubricant holding member 3d butt, can not produce undesirable condition as described above, more suitable.

In the residual test section 40 of this example, detecting the length direction towards solid lubricant 3b with pivoting part 41 extends, make to detect abutting part 41b and the lubricant holding member 3d butt with one end of pivoting part 41, in detection, with the other end of pivoting part 41, be provided with detected portion 41a, with revolution test section 42, detect the revolution of detected portion 41a, detect lubricant and " approach and use up ".By such formation, as shown in Figure 12 A, the test section (abutting part of the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b) of " approach and use up " for detection of lubricant can be arranged on to the position of leaving from peristome 31e.Thus, can suppress to cut by applicator roll 3a the lubricant powder of getting and be attached to the first electrod assembly 42a and abutting part the second electrod assembly 42b or the second electrod assembly 42b and abutting part the first electrod assembly 42a.Thus, can suppress to cause and between electrod assembly, produce poor flow because being attached to the lubricant of each electrod assembly, can precision detect well " approach and use up " of lubricant.

By making detection, with pivoting part 41, the length direction towards solid lubricant 3b extends, towards short direction extension occasion, compare with pivoting part 41 with making detection, can not take up space to make to detect and from peristome 31e, leave with the other end (detected portion 41a) of pivoting part 41 distance setting.

In this example, by partition wall 43b, by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers, be the space of configuration peristome 31e, and the space that configures each electrod assembly.Thus, can prevent that the lubricant powder entering from peristome 31e is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.Partition wall 43b both can be located at cover 43, also can be located at storage case 3e.Also can be respectively equipped with partition wall at cover 43, storage case 3e, by combination, be the space that is provided with the space of peristome 31e and is provided with each electrod assembly by the spatial separation with cover 43 covers.

In this example, detect with pivoting part 41 and cause revolution because conducting oneself with dignity, therefore, there is no need with the abutting part 41b of pivoting part, towards lubricant holding member 3d, to energize detecting by means of energizing such as springs, when abutting part 41b leaves from the side of lubricant holding member 3d, it is towards the revolution clockwise of Figure 13 A, Figure 13 B.Thus, can reduce component count, can make device cheap.

In this example, in cover 43 location, keep the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b and detect with pivoting part 41.Like this, by keeping the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b in same positioning parts and detecting with pivoting part 41, part tolerance can be suppressed to Min..Thus, can precision the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b be provided well and detect the position relationship separately with pivoting part 41.Thus, when solid lubricant 3b is during in " approach use up " state, the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt can be really made, " approaching using up " state of lubricant can be precision detected well.

Residual test section 40 makes the second electrod assembly 42b deflection, with the first electrod assembly 42a butt, therefore, exist through time use after the danger of original shape distortion of the second electrod assembly 42b.Also exist electrod assembly because contact produces, to corrode or the dirty dirty fixed danger that causes error detection.Therefore, need to change residual test section 40.In this example, in cover 43 location, keep the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b and detect with pivoting part 41.Therefore, only from storage case 3e, unload lower cover member 43, can unload residual test section 40 from feeding lubricating device, can easily carry out the replacing operation of residual test section 40.

In this example, be provided with restriction and detect with the rotating revolution limiting unit of pivoting part 41 43d, restriction detects the surplus revolution with pivoting part 41.Different from this example, revolution limiting unit 43d occasion is not set, when changing residual test section 40, exist and detect with the superfluous revolution of pivoting part 41, abutting part 41b is positioned at the danger of vertical below.Like this, if under the state below abutting part 41b is positioned at, residual test section 40 is installed, can not be correctly detected " approach and use up " of lubricant.Therefore,, when residual test section 40 is assembled into housing 3e side, on one side need to confirm that abutting part 41b is positioned at vertical top, certain and lubricant holding member 3d butt, Yi Bian install, exists and changes the poor defective mode of workability.In addition, while changing operation, more than existence pushes necessity by the second electrod assembly 42b towards the first electrod assembly 42a because of detected portion 41a, there is the danger of plastic yield in the first electrod assembly 42a or the second electrod assembly 42b.If the first electrod assembly 42a plastic yield, solid lubricant 3b becomes " approach and use up ", even if the second electrod assembly 42b is subject to detected portion 41a pushing elastic deformation for setting shape, sometimes the first electrod assembly 42a also not with the second electrod assembly 42b butt, can not detect " approach use up ".If the second electrod assembly 42b plastic yield, even if detected portion 41a does not push the second electrod assembly 42b, the second electrod assembly 42b also with the first electrod assembly 42a butt, existence can not detect the danger of " approach use up ".

On the other hand, in this example, be provided with revolution limiting unit 43d.Therefore, when changing residual test section 40, if detect with pivoting part 41, want towards superfluous revolution clockwise shown in Figure 13 A, Figure 13 B, Figure 14 A, Figure 14 B, detected portion 41a touches and connects with revolution limiting unit 43d, and restriction detects with pivoting part 41 revolutions.Thus, while changing residual test section 40, abutting part 41b is positioned at vertical top really.Therefore, even while do not carry out and confirm that abutting part 41b is positioned at vertical top and assembles, also can make abutting part 41b and lubricant holding member 3d butt assemble.Its result, can improve the replacing workability of residual test section 40.By revolution limiting unit 43d restriction, detect with pivoting part 41 revolutions, can suppress the second electrod assembly 42b and be pressed into towards the first electrod assembly 42a surplus.Thus, can suppress the plastic yield of the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.

According to device, form, sometimes can not make to detect and fully extend at solid lubricant 3b length direction with pivoting part 41, can not guarantee to be provided with the space of partition wall 43b.This occasion, exists the lubricant powder dispersing from the peristome 31e of storage case 3e to be attached to the danger of the first electrod assembly 42a or the second electrod assembly 42b.Especially, export continually the service condition occasion of low image area rate, cut among the lubricant of getting into powder shaped, in storage case 3e, pile up the lubricant that is not applied to photoreceptor.Its result, a part that is deposited in the lubricant of storage case 3e is passed through peristome 31e, and the lubricant powder that is attached to the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b also becomes many.Its result produces poor flow between electrod assembly, and existence can not detect the danger of lubricant " approach and use up "., there is the danger that solid lubricant is exhausted, can not with lubricator protect photosensitive surface in its result.So, " approach and use up " that also can detect lubricant displacement and the conducting state both sides between electrod assembly of applicator roll 3a.

Can detect whether solid lubricant 3b is set by the residual test section 40 of this example.That is, the residual test section 40 of this example ought correctly not arrange solid lubricant 3b or solid lubricant 3b occasion is not set, and abutting part 41b and lubricant holding member 3d be butt not.Therefore, above-mentioned occasion, for detected portion 41a pushes the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt state.Therefore,, when solid lubricant 3b not correctly being set or solid lubricant 3b occasion not being set, with resistance test section, 42c detects conducting.Therefore,, while changing cartridge processing or feeding lubricating device 3, by confirming conducting state by the 42c of resistance detection portion, can detect whether solid lubricant 3b is set.

Figure 15 detects by residual test section 40 process flow diagram whether solid lubricant 3b is set.

As shown in figure 15, if the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt, the 42c of resistance detection portion detects conducting, solid lubricant 3b " approach and use up " ("Yes" of step S21) detected, enter step S22, control part 100 is not having illustrated operation display part to represent to supervise to change the information of solid lubricant.Then,, at step S23, control part 100 detects whether load and unload cartridge processing.The switching of the open-close lid opening and closing in the time of can for example changing cartridge by detection, detects and whether loads and unloads cartridge.Arrange and detect the detection means have or not cartridge processing, state switches to state sometimes when detecting never cartridge processing, also can the handling of Check processing cartridge.And, if carry out cartridge processing handling ("Yes" of step S23), entering step S24, cancellation need to be changed the information of solid lubricant.Then,, at step S25, with resistance test section, 42c judges whether to detect non-conduction.When the 42c of resistance detection portion detects non-conduction occasion ("Yes" of step S25), solid lubricant 3b is changed, and correctly arranges, and processing finishes.On the other hand, if the 42c of resistance detection portion detects conducting occasion ("No" of step S25), solid lubricant 3b is not changed, or incorrect setting.Therefore, this information table is shown in and there is no illustrated operation display part (step S26), then, again get back to step S23, judge whether to load and unload cartridge processing.Thus, can prevent from forgetting replacing solid lubricant 3b etc.

Below, the variation of residual test section 40 is described.

Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B mean the summary pie graph of the first variation of residual test section 40, and Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B are the B-B sectional views of Figure 16 A and Figure 16 B.

As shown in Figure 16 A, Figure 16 B, Figure 17 A, Figure 17 B, the residual test section of this first variation is made as electroconductive component by detection with pivoting part 41, cancels the second electrod assembly 42b.

As shown in Figure 16 A, using initially, detecting with the abutting part 41b of pivoting part 41 and touch and connect with lubricant holding member 3d, because detection is restricted with pivoting part 41 revolution causing of conducting oneself with dignity.At this moment, as shown in Figure 16 A, Figure 17 A, detect and leave with detected portion 41a and the first electrod assembly 42a of pivoting part 41.Therefore, at this moment, even by the 42c of resistance detection portion, voltage be applied to the first electrod assembly 42a and detect with 41 of pivoting parts, at the first electrod assembly 42a and detection, with 41 of pivoting parts, also not having electric current to flow through, for not measuring the state of resistance value.

Identical with above-mentioned explanation, if the height of solid lubricant 3b becomes set definite value following (" approach and use up " state), abutting part 41b leaves from lubricant holding member 3d side, if detect with pivoting part 41 because of deadweight revolution, detected portion 41a and the first electrod assembly 42a butt.Thus, detect and from nonconducting state, switch to conducting state with pivoting part 41 and the first electrod assembly 42a.Its result, if by the 42c of resistance detection portion, is applied to the first electrod assembly 42a by voltage and detects with 41 of pivoting parts, at the first electrod assembly 42a and detection, with 41 electric currents of pivoting part, flows through.Thus, can use resistance test section 42c detection resistance value, can detect solid lubricant 3b becomes " approach and use up ", can detect and detect with pivoting part 41 revolutions.

In this first variation, can cancel the second electrod assembly 42b, can reduce component count, can reduce installation cost.In the above description, with electroconductive component, form to detect with pivoting part 41, still, also can only detected portion 41a be made as to electroconductive component, or with electroconductive component, only form detected portion 41a with the first electrod assembly 42a butt place.Also can form revolution limiting part 43d with electroconductive component, use revolution limiting part 43d as the first electrod assembly 42a.

Figure 18 is the summary pie graph of the residual test section of the second variation.

As shown in figure 18, in this second variation, be provided with and detect with pivoting part 41, make its connect storage case 3e with face solid lubricant length direction end subtend.By being made as above-mentioned formation, owing to can being only provided for connecting the hole of detecting with pivoting part 41 at storage case 3e, therefore, can suppress lubricant powder and disperse from storage case 3e.Thus, lubricant powder be can suppress and the first electrod assembly 42a or the second electrod assembly 42b are attached to.Also residual test section 40 can be located to the side that is positioned at lubricant holding member 3d below of storage case 3e.This occasion, because of means of energizing such as springs, detects and energizes towards lubricant holding member 3d side with the abutting part 41b of pivoting part 41.Thus, when abutting part 41b leaves from solid lubricant 3b, detect and turn round because of the power of energizing of the means of energizing with pivoting part 41, can make detected portion 41a push the second electrod assembly 42b and the first electrod assembly 42a butt.

The compression joint mechanism 300c of this variation comprises tilting member 301a and as energizing the spring 301b of mechanism, described tilting member 301a is located at respectively near the length direction both ends of lubricant holding member 3d, swings and is arranged on freely storage case 3e.Each end of spring 301b is arranged on respectively tilting member 301a.Each tilting member 301a obtains towards the power of energizing of the diagram arrow D direction at the length direction center of lubricant holding member 3d from this spring 301b.Due to this power of energizing, the tilting member 301a on diagram right side is energized, and it is swung towards diagram counterclockwise, and the tilting member 301a in diagram left side is energized, and it is swung clockwise towards diagram.Thus, each tilting member 301a with the circular-arc abutting part 311 of lubricant holding member 3d butt as shown in Figure 10 A, Figure 10 B, towards lubricant holding member 3d side, energized.

Using when initial, the power of energizing of the swing end resistance spring 301b of each tilting member 301a, becomes the state swinging towards the direction of inner peripheral surface 32 that approaches the upper face of storage case 3e.By this formation, the power of energizing that two tilting member 301a are subject to spring 301b is tried hard to recommend pressure lubricating agent holding member 3d with mutual equalization, makes to remain on solid lubricant 3b and the applicator roll 3a crimping of lubricant holding member 3d.Therefore, solid lubricant 3b is at its length direction homogeneous pushing applicator roll 3a.Its result, the amount of cutting the lubricant of getting by applicator roll 3a revolution swiping becomes homogeneous at length direction, can be coated on equably photoreceptor 1 surface.

In the compression joint mechanism 300c of this variation, though because of through time use solid lubricant 3b highly to reduce, the plus-pressure that also can suppress solid lubricant 3b reduces.Therefore, can from initially to through time the variation that is supplied to the powder lubricant amount on photoreceptor 1 surface is suppressed for less.

Can obtain such result the reasons are as follows:

Generally, during initially using up to solid lubricant 3b, the elongation of spring changes, and for the variable elongation amount of this spring, the length of spring integral body is longer, and the variation of the spring energized power of spring variable elongation amount is less relatively.As shown in Figure 3, the contraction state of usining configuration, as the pressing spring 3c of compression joint mechanism, makes the direction of its power of energizing (release power) consistent with the crimping direction of the relative applicator roll 3a of solid lubricant 3b.In this forms, the length of spring integral body is longer, makes spring energized force direction unanimously very difficult with the crimping direction of the relative applicator roll 3a of solid lubricant 3b, therefore, makes the length of spring integral body long also limited.In addition, in the compression joint mechanism 3c of Fig. 3, at applicator roll 3a radially, must guarantee to be equivalent to the configuration space of spring length, cause that device maximizes.For the above reasons, in the compression joint mechanism of Fig. 3, have to use shorter spring, through time after, the tax capacity variation of spring is large.

In contrast, in the compression joint mechanism 300c of this variation, as shown in figure 19, so that spring 301b extended configuration is configured, can make the relative applicator roll 3a of solid lubricant 3b crimping with its power of energizing (tensile force).Therefore,, even if the length of spring integral body is long, also can not produce the such problem of compression joint mechanism 3c of Fig. 2.And, in the compression joint mechanism 300c of variation, configuration spring 301b, make the length direction of spring 301b and solid lubricant 3b length direction, be the axial consistent of applicator roll 3a.Therefore, even if spring 301b length is long, at applicator roll 3a radially, and can expanded configuration space yet, there is no need to make device to maximize.Therefore, the compression joint mechanism 300c of this variation can adopt the much longer spring 301b of pressing spring 3c length using than the 3c of compression joint mechanism shown in Fig. 2.Its result, can by through time rear spring tax capacity variation suppress for less.

As shown in figure 20, also each tilting member 301a can be swung and is arranged on freely lubricant holding member 3d.In the formation of this Figure 20, each tilting member 301a obtains towards the power of energizing at the length direction center of lubricant holding member 3d from spring 301b, due to this power of energizing, energized towards the direction of leaving from lubricant holding member 3d in the swing end of each tilting member 301a, inner peripheral surface 32 butts of the swing end of each tilting member 301a and the upper face of storage case 3e.

In this example, the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b configure in vertical subtend.Therefore, as mentioned above, exist lubricant etc. to be deposited in the danger above electrod assembly.Therefore, also can be so that the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b subtend configuration in the horizontal direction.Like this, by make the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b in the horizontal direction subtend configure, lubricants etc. can not be deposited on the face of each electrod assembly, can be suppressed between electrod assembly and produce poor flow, and energy precision detects " approach and use up " of lubricant well.

In the above description, as detecting the revolution detection means of described detection with the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41, enumerate revolution test section 42, but be not limited to above-mentioned example, also can for example be made as pushbutton switch and replace the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b.This occasion, if detect posture corresponding while becoming with lubricant " approaching using up " with pivoting part 41, detects the detected portion 41a pushing pushbutton switch with pivoting part 41, detects " approaching using up ".

Also can detect the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41 for described detection with photo interrupter.If detect posture corresponding while becoming with lubricant " approaching using up " with pivoting part 41, detect and use the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41 because of shading, detected portion 41a detected, detect " approach and use up ".Also can use optical reflector to detect lubricant " approaches and uses up ".This occasion, the optical reflector subtend place with detecting with pivoting part 41, is provided with reflecting plate.If detect posture corresponding while becoming with lubricant " approaching using up " with pivoting part 41, detect with the detected portion 41a of pivoting part 41 and reflect the light from optical reflector, by being subject to light at optical reflector, detected portion 41a detected, can detect " approach and use up ".

Also above-mentioned feeding lubricating device can be applicable to the feeding lubricating device at intermediate transfer belt 56 by lubricant applying.

Above-mentioned explanation is only an example, the present invention below each form of (1)～(17) there is distinctive effect:

(1) a kind of feeding lubricating device 3, comprising:

Lubricant;

The supply part of applicator roll 3a etc., the lubricant that above-mentioned lubricant is supplied to photoreceptor 1 grade is supplied with object; And

The residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades, the residual that detects above-mentioned lubricant be set quantitatively below;

Above-mentioned feeding lubricating device is characterised in that:

Above-mentioned residual testing agency comprises and is made as the pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades for rotatable detection, and the consumption of following above-mentioned lubricant pushes above-mentioned pivoting part, makes the rotating push part of above-mentioned pivoting part (in this example, being the butt jut 31d of lubricant holding member 3d);

In above-mentioned pivoting part and the opposite sides that clip above-mentioned pivoting part above-mentioned push part butt place (in this example, being receiving portion 41b), detect lubricant and be set quantitatively below.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can be configured in the position of leaving from the supply part of applicator roll 3a etc. and the abutting part of lubricant by detecting the revolution testing agency of described detection by rotating revolution test section 42 grades of pivoting part 41.Thus, can suppress to cut by supply part the lubricant of getting and disperse and be attached to revolution detection means, can suppress the error detection of residual.

(2) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (1),

The gyratory directions that the deadweight detecting with the above-mentioned pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades is caused is made as with following above-mentioned lubricant consumption rotating direction against direction.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, be made as with the gyratory directions that the deadweight detecting with pivoting part 41 is caused that the equidirectional occasion of rotating direction is compared with following above-mentioned lubricant consumption, can suppress to the variation of the lubricant quantity delivered of photoreceptor 1.

(3) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (2), detect and be made as plate-like shape with the pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades with butt above-mentioned push part place, be made as barrel shape with the opposition side of the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part at push part butt place, make with weight ratio and the push part butt place of the opposition side of the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part at push part butt place heavy.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, the gyratory directions that the deadweight detecting with the above-mentioned pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades can be caused is made as with following above-mentioned lubricant consumption rotating direction against direction.

(4), in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (3), be provided with restriction projection 43a, with the inner peripheral surface butt that detects the barrel shape of the pivoting part of using pivoting part 41 grades, the revolution that restriction causes because of above-mentioned pivoting part deadweight.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, can limit pivoting part revolution.

(5) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (4), detect with the pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades with above-mentioned push part (in this example, butt jut 31d for lubricant holding member 3d) vertical at butt place top, configures above-mentioned opposite sides.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can suppress the revolution testing agency that lubricant is attached to above-mentioned revolution test section 42 grades.

(6) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (5), be provided with the storage case 3e that takes in above-mentioned lubricant, the residual testing agency of above-mentioned residual test section 40 grades is located at outside storage case 3e.

(7) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (6), at above-mentioned storage case 3e, be provided with above-mentioned push part (in this example, butt jut 31d for lubricant holding member 3d) the peristome 34a connecting, in the outside of above-mentioned storage case 3e, the pivoting part butt of above-mentioned push part and above-mentioned detection use pivoting part 41 etc.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can make to be configured in the revolution of pivoting part outside storage case 3e, detect lubricant and be set quantitatively below.

(8), in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (7), be provided with and cover the residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades and the cover 43 of above-mentioned peristome 34a.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can prevent the lubricant contamination device dispersing from peristome 31e.Can prevent that the toner dispersing is attached to the revolution testing agency of revolution test section 42 grades.

(9) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (7) or (8), be provided with the partition of partition wall 43b etc., be divided into the space of the space of the above-mentioned peristome 31e of configuration and the residual testing agency of above-mentioned residual test section 40 grades of configuration.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, the lubricant powder that can suppress to enter in cover 43 from peristome 31e is attached to the revolution testing agency that turns round test section 42 grades.

(10) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of recording in above-mentioned (7) to (9), along supply part surface moving direction, the residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades is configured in to the downstream of the supply part of applicator roll 3a etc. and the abutting part of above-mentioned lubricant.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, the push part that can make butt jut 31d etc. really with the pivoting part butt detecting by pivoting part 41 grades.

(11) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (10), the residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades is located near above-mentioned lubricant length direction both ends.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, even lubricant in the different occasions of length direction lubricant consumption, the amounts of lubrication that also can detect the end of the many sides of consumption becomes " approach and use up " state.Thus, can prevent the undesirable condition of the exhausted damage of lubricant one side end photosensitive surface etc.

(12) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (11), the above-mentioned residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades is provided with the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b, above-mentioned the second electrod assembly 42b and the configuration of this first electrod assembly 42a subtend, by above-mentioned detection, with the pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades, towards above-mentioned the first electrod assembly 42a thruster, pressed, according to whether conducting between above-mentioned the first electrod assembly 42a and above-mentioned the second electrod assembly 42b, the residual that detects above-mentioned lubricant be set quantitatively below.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can form the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b with less expensive materials such as sheet metals, can form residual testing agency with above-mentioned the first electrod assembly 42a, the second electrod assembly 42b, therefore, with with the expensive parts of photoelectric sensor geometric ratio sheet metal, form residual testing agency occasion and compare, can make device cheap.At lubricant, become before " approach and use up " state relative the first electrod assembly 42a, the second position of electrod assembly 42b in leaving.Therefore, can power consumption when detecting " approach and use up ".Its result, becomes " approach and use up " front with lubricant, the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b butt become conducting state, if become " approach and use up ", the first electrod assembly 42a and the second electrod assembly 42b leave, and become nonconducting state occasion and compare, and can suppress power consumption.

(13), in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (12), " approach and the use up " state before the end of above-mentioned lubricant detects in the residual testing agency of residual test section 40 grades.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation; as illustrated at example; " approaching and use up " from detecting, to preparation lubricant, starting to change operational period also can be to the lubricant supply object supply of lubricant of above-mentioned photoreceptor 1 grade, can suppress generation device stop time.

(14), in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (13), above-mentioned detection consists of axial region, the extension extending to above-mentioned lubricant side from axial region and the planar portions of extending from extension front end towards vertical with the pivoting part of pivoting part 41 grades.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, as illustrated at example, can with the deadweight of pivoting part 41, invest turning power with detecting.

(15) in the feeding lubricating device 3 of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (14), above-mentioned lubricant is solid lubricant.

(16), comprising:

The picture bearing member of photoreceptor 1 grade; And

Lubricant feed mechanism, to picture bearing member surface supply of lubricant;

Image transfer on picture bearing member, to recording materials, is formed to image on these recording materials;

Described image processing system is characterised in that:

Use the feeding lubricating device of the form of any record of above-mentioned (1) to (15), as above-mentioned lubricant feed mechanism.

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, can detect well " approach use up " of lubricant, can be suppressed at and under the exhausted state of lubricant, carry out image and form action.Thus, can suppress photoreceptor through time deteriorated.

(17), comprising:

The picture bearing member of photoreceptor 1 grade; And

Lubricant feed mechanism, to this as bearing member surface supply of lubricant;

Be configured to image forming device body handling relatively;

Described cartridge processing is characterised in that:

By being provided with above-mentioned formation, can detect well " approach use up " of lubricant, can be suppressed at and under the exhausted state of lubricant, carry out image and form action.Thus, can provide can suppress photoreceptor through time deteriorated cartridge processing.

Above with reference to accompanying drawing, example of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to above-mentioned example.In the technology of the present invention thought range, can do all changes, they all belong to protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a feeding lubricating device, comprising:

Lubricant;

Above-mentioned feeding lubricating device is characterised in that:

In opposite sides above-mentioned pivoting part and the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part above-mentioned push part butt place, detect lubricant and be set quantitatively below.

2. feeding lubricating device according to claim 1, is characterized in that:

The gyratory directions that the deadweight of above-mentioned pivoting part is caused is made as with following above-mentioned lubricant consumption rotating direction against direction.

3. feeding lubricating device according to claim 2, is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned pivoting part be made as plate-like shape with butt above-mentioned push part place, be made as barrel shape with the opposition side of the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part at above-mentioned push part butt place, make with weight ratio and the above-mentioned push part butt place of the opposition side of the revolution fulcrum that clips above-mentioned pivoting part at above-mentioned push part butt place heavy.

4. feeding lubricating device according to claim 3, is characterized in that:

Be provided with restriction projection, with the inner peripheral surface butt of the barrel shape of above-mentioned pivoting part, the revolution that restriction causes because of above-mentioned pivoting part deadweight.

5. the feeding lubricating device described in any according to claim 1 to 4, is characterized in that:

Above above-mentioned pivoting part and vertical above-mentioned push part butt place, configure above-mentioned opposite sides.

6. the feeding lubricating device described in any according to claim 1 to 5, is characterized in that:

Be provided with the storage case of taking in above-mentioned lubricant;

Above-mentioned residual testing agency is located at outside storage case.

7. feeding lubricating device according to claim 6, is characterized in that:

At above-mentioned storage case, be provided with the peristome that above-mentioned push part connects, in the outside of above-mentioned storage case, above-mentioned push part and above-mentioned pivoting part butt.

8. feeding lubricating device according to claim 7, is characterized in that:

Be provided with the cover that covers above-mentioned residual testing agency and above-mentioned peristome.

9. according to the feeding lubricating device described in claim 7 or 8, it is characterized in that:

Be provided with partition, be divided into the space of the above-mentioned peristome of configuration and the space of the above-mentioned residual of configuration testing agency.

10. the feeding lubricating device described in any according to claim 7 to 9, is characterized in that:

Along above-mentioned supply part surface moving direction, above-mentioned residual testing agency is configured in to the downstream of the abutting part of above-mentioned supply part and above-mentioned lubricant.

11. according to claim 1 to 10 feeding lubricating device described in any, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned residual testing agency is located near above-mentioned lubricant length direction both ends.

12. according to claim 1 to 11 feeding lubricating device described in any, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned residual testing agency is provided with the first electrod assembly and the second electrod assembly, above-mentioned the second electrod assembly and the configuration of this first electrod assembly subtend, by above-mentioned pivoting part, towards above-mentioned the first electrod assembly thruster, pressed, according to whether conducting between above-mentioned the first electrod assembly and above-mentioned the second electrod assembly, the residual that detects above-mentioned lubricant be set quantitatively below.

13. according to claim 1 to 12 feeding lubricating device described in any, it is characterized in that:

" approach and the use up " state before the end of above-mentioned lubricant detects in above-mentioned residual testing agency.

14. according to claim 1 to 13 feeding lubricating device described in any, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned pivoting part consists of the planar portions of axial region, the extension extending to above-mentioned lubricant side from axial region and the extension from extension front end towards vertical.

15. according to claim 1 to 14 feeding lubricating device described in any, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned lubricant is solid lubricant.

16. 1 kinds of image processing systems, comprising:

Picture bearing member; And

By this as the image transfer on bearing member to recording materials, on these recording materials, form image;

Described image processing system is characterised in that:

Right to use requires the feeding lubricating device of any record in 1-15, as above-mentioned lubricant feed mechanism.

17. 1 kinds of cartridge processings, comprising:

Picture bearing member; And

Be configured to image forming device body handling relatively;

Described cartridge processing is characterised in that: